91Ô­´´

Meet the Staff

The IDEA Center Team

Alex Phan, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Executive Director for Student Success

alexphan@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-822-4636

Schedule a meeting:ÌýÌýÌý Ìý|ÌýÌýÌýÌý

Responsibilities: Dr. Alex Phan provides leadership and direction for student success-centered initiatives, programs, and curriculum refinement. He works closely with IDEA Center staff to optimize resources, create access points to programs within Jacobs School of Engineering and general campus, and develops strategies to foster students’ personal, academic, and professional excellence. As the EDSS, Alex strives to synergize the six departments within the Jacobs School of Engineering through programs, initiatives, and research focusing on areas vital to student success in engineering.

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Jackie Duerr, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)

Director

jduerr@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-246-5268

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Responsibilities: Jackie provides leadership, supervision, and direction to the IDEA Engineering Student Center team to ensure studentsÌýare supported academically, personally, and professionally. Through an equity-minded, student-centered lens, Jackie works closely with the team by providing management, strategic planning, and oversight of student programs. As the Director, Jackie strives to ensure the IDEA Engineering Student Center is pioneering cutting-edge retention and professional development programs, ensuring the pathway to engineering is possible to all students.Ìý

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Headshot Photo of Sara Eckardt

Sara Eckardt (she/her/hers)

Assistant Director

sleckardt@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-822-3780

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Sara is a proud 91Ô­´´ Alum (Class of 2016) with a degree is Cognitive Science. She has worked across different departments at 91Ô­´´ since 2016 (HDH, Seventh College, Jacobs School of Engineering). Sara is passionate about the student journey whether it's academic, professional, or personal. Feel free to reach out to Sara to request a short meeting to connect! Fun Fact: It surprises most people that I'm really an introvert and prefer solitude to recover and reset with a book and my cat :)

Responsibilities:Ìý

  • Engineering Learning Communities
  • GEAR Up2Research
  • Coaching
  • Events and Operations Support
  • Supervises Student Employees

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Jessica Baldis, M.S. (she/her/hers)

Strategic Initiatives and Assessment Senior Analyst

jbaldis@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-534-6779

Office hours: By appointment

Responsibilities: Jessica develops and implements methods for assessing the impact of IDEA Engineering Student Center initiatives on student retention and success.

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Student Interns

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MeryÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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KarenÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

ÌýOliviaÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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AnthonyÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

AdvitaÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

JewelleÌý

IDEA Center Intern: Graphic Design/Marketing

Michelle

IDEA Center Intern: Graphic Design/Marketing

Jean Paul

Media Intern

Ariel

Research and Assessment Intern

Chirag

Research and Assessment Intern

Jenna

Special Initiatives Intern

Sarine

IDEA Scholars Program Assistant

Rylee

IDEA Scholars Program Assistant

Ava

IDEA Scholars Program Assistant


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